Power system enclosure

ABSTRACT

A power system enclosure is provided. The power system enclosure includes a box, and a ventilation system. The ventilation system includes an enclosure inlet, and an enclosure exhaust. The enclosure inlet and the enclosure exhaust are disposed outside the box. The enclosure inlet is connected to the box to allow entry of air. The enclosure exhaust includes an enclosure exhaust, and one or more gas detectors. The exhaust duct is connected to the box to route gases from the box. The gas detectors are disposed in the enclosure exhaust to detect and generate a signal indicative of a presence of carbon monoxide in the gases.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a power system enclosure, and more particularly to a ventilation system for a power system enclosure.

BACKGROUND

Conventional ventilation systems, such as those used in buildings, include components such as ducts, vents, fans, sensors and the like. The sensors may be located inside the ducts in the building but this arrangement may not be adaptable to the placement of sensors inside a power system enclosure which does not have similar ducts and does not experience the same operating conditions or have the same operational requirements as the ventilation system of a building.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a power system enclosure including a box, and a ventilation system. The ventilation system includes an enclosure inlet, and an enclosure exhaust. The enclosure inlet and the enclosure exhaust are disposed outside the box. The enclosure inlet is connected to the box to allow entry of air. The enclosure exhaust includes an enclosure exhaust, and one or more gas detectors. The exhaust duct is connected to the box to route gases from the box. The gas detectors are disposed in the enclosure exhaust to detect and generate a signal indicative of a presence of carbon monoxide in the gases.

In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a power system including an engine and the power system enclosure. The power system enclosure includes a box, and the ventilation system. The box houses the engine. The ventilation system includes the enclosure inlet, and the enclosure exhaust. The enclosure inlet and the enclosure exhaust are disposed outside the box. The enclosure inlet is connected to the box to allow entry of air. The enclosure exhaust includes the enclosure exhaust, and the gas detectors. The exhaust duct is connected to the box to route gases from the box. The gas detectors are disposed in the enclosure exhaust to detect and generate a signal indicative of a presence of carbon monoxide in the gases.

In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a method of detecting presence of carbon monoxide within the power system enclosure of a power system. The method includes allowing an entry of air into the box of the power system enclosure via the enclosure inlet. The method further includes routing gases from the box to an outside of the box by the exhaust duct. The method further includes discharging the gases via a discharge section defined at an end of the exhaust duct. Furthermore, the method includes detecting the presence of carbon monoxide in the gases by gas detectors.

Other features and aspects of this disclosure will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a break away perspective view of a power system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an enclosure exhaust of the power system; and

FIG. 3 shows a method of detecting presence of carbon monoxide within a power system enclosure of the power system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure relates to a ventilation system 118 for an enclosure of a power system 100. FIG. 1 shows a break away perspective view of a power system 100 in which disclosed embodiments may be implemented. The power system 100 includes an engine 102, and a power system enclosure 104. The engine 102 may be of any type. In one embodiment, the engine 102 may be a gas turbine engine, which may be used to drive a generator for power generation, or other mechanical assemblies such as a compressor. In other embodiments, the engine 102 may be a reciprocating engine, such as a diesel engine, or a gas engine. In one embodiment, the engine 102 may use a fuel containing high levels of carbon monoxide gas, such as synthesis gas (syngas). Synthesis gas typically contains high levels of carbon monoxide and hydrogen.

The power system enclosure 104 includes a box 106 housing the engine 102. The box 106 is sized and shaped to house the engine 102, and therefore may be of any appropriate size and shape. The box 106 may also house the equipment driven by the engine 102. In an embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, the box 106 is a rectangular shaped box 106. In other embodiments, the box 106 may be a cylindrical, or cube shaped box. Although in the preceding embodiments, it is disclosed that the box 106 is rectangular shaped, cylindrical, or cube shaped, a person of ordinary skill in the art will acknowledge that the shape of the box 106 disclosed herein is exemplary in nature and does not limit the scope of this disclosure.

In an embodiment, the power system enclosure 104 includes an engine air system 108 connected to the box 106. The engine air system 108 may include an engine inlet 110 and an engine exhaust (not shown). The engine inlet 110 provides atmospheric air to the engine 102 for combustion of fuel. The engine exhaust may exhaust gases coming from the engine 102 after combustion of the fuel. During operation of the engine 102, carbon monoxide may be released into the box 106 of the power system enclosure 104. This released carbon monoxide may accumulate in the box 106.

In an embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the engine inlet 110 is shown to be connected at a top 114 of the box 106. However, in alternate embodiments, the engine inlet 110 may be positioned and connected to any other suitable portion of the box 106, such as, on any one side 116 of the box 106.

The power system enclosure 104 further includes a ventilation system 118. The ventilation system 118 includes an enclosure inlet 120, and an enclosure exhaust 122. The enclosure inlet 120 and the enclosure exhaust 122 may be disposed outside the box 106. The enclosure inlet 120 is connected to the box 106 to allow entry of air into the box 106 (as shown by dashed lines A with arrows). In an embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, the enclosure inlet 120 may be connected at a first end 124 of the box 106.

In an embodiment, the enclosure inlet 120 may include a fan (not shown) that provides a suction force to the air entering the enclosure inlet 120 from the atmosphere. The air entering the enclosure inlet 120, either by forced suction or by natural convection, flows around the engine 102 within the box 106. This air may absorb heat radiated from the engine 102 and cool the box 106 while also diffusing any carbon monoxide present inside the box 106. In cases of the fan being used, the fan may enhance a flow rate of the air through the enclosure inlet 120 and the box 106. Thus, an increased flow rate of the air may help in absorbing more heat from the engine 102 and cooling the box 106 while diffusing any carbon monoxide present in the box 106.

The enclosure exhaust 122 includes an exhaust duct 126, and one or more gas detectors 128. The exhaust duct 126 is connected to the box 106 to route gases from the box 106. In an embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, the exhaust duct 126 may be connected at a second end 130 of the box 106.

In an embodiment, the enclosure exhaust 122 may further include a fan (not shown) that is configured to blow out gases from within the box 106. As in the case of the fan provided at the enclosure inlet 120, the fan at the enclosure exhaust 122 may also help in setting up a forced convection of the gases. Thus, the fan at the enclosure exhaust 122 may enable the enclosure exhaust 122 to route the gases into the atmosphere via the exhaust duct 126 (as shown by dashed lines B with arrows).

In an embodiment as shown in FIG. 1, the enclosure inlet 120 and the enclosure exhaust 122 may be positioned at the top 114 of the box 106. In another embodiment, the enclosure inlet 120 and the enclosure exhaust 122 may be positioned at the side 116 of the box 106. Typically, the positioning of the enclosure inlet 120 and the enclosure exhaust 122 may be based on a flow pattern of the gases within the box 106 while also taking into account the density of carbon monoxide. As known to a person having ordinary skill in the art, the density of carbon monoxide is approximately equal to the density of air. However, carbon monoxide is a highly diffusing gas and hence, it may diffuse into the air present in the box 106. Thus, the position of diffusion of carbon monoxide into the air within the box 106 may range anywhere from a bottom portion 134 of the box 106 to a top portion 136 of the box 106. Therefore, a person having ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that, the alternative embodiments of positioning of the enclosure inlet 120 and the enclosure exhaust 122 at the top 114, or the side 116 of the box 106 may ensure exhaust of the carbon monoxide.

As shown in FIG. 1, the gas detectors 128 are disposed in the exhaust enclosure 122. In an embodiment, the gas detectors 128 may be accessible from outside the box 106. The gas detectors 128 may include a probe section 138 substantially extending into a flow path of the gases in the enclosure exhaust 122. The gas detectors 128 are configured to detect and generate a signal indicative of a presence of carbon monoxide in the gases. The gas detectors 128 commercially available in the market may be sensitive to temperature. In view of the above, in an embodiment, a temperature within the box 106 is equal to or more than 50° C., and a temperature at the enclosure exhaust 122 may be below 50° C. Therefore, in this embodiment, the working temperature of the gas detectors 128 may be lesser than a threshold temperature of the gas detectors 128. In an embodiment, the gas detectors 128 may be of an opto-chemical, biomimetic, electrochemical, or semiconductor sensor type.

In an embodiment as shown in FIG. 2, the gas detectors may be disposed in a discharge section 140 defined at an end 132 of the exhaust duct 126. The discharge section 140 may be adapted to discharge the gases into the atmosphere (as shown by dashed lines C with arrows).

In an embodiment, the gas detectors 128 may further generate a signal indicative of the amount of carbon monoxide in the gases. In this embodiment, the gas detectors 128 may periodically detect the amount of carbon monoxide in the gases. In another embodiment, the gas detectors 128 may be preset with a threshold value representing an acceptable limit of carbon dioxide in the gases. When the gases exhausted from the enclosure exhaust 122 contain an amount of carbon dioxide that exceeds the preset threshold value, the gas detectors 128 may become responsive and generate a signal indicative of the amount of carbon monoxide. The gas detectors 128 may use computational units such as parts per million (ppm), or percentage by weight (% wt. or w/v), or any other standardized units to represent the signal at a read out device (not shown). This may enable an operator to understand and interpret the values and subsequently monitor the engine 102 based on the values.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

FIG. 3 shows a method 300 of detecting presence of carbon monoxide within the power system enclosure 104 of the power system 100. At step 302, air is allowed to enter the box 106 of the power system enclosure 104 via the enclosure inlet 120. At step 304, the gases present in the box 106 are routed outside the box 106 by the exhaust duct 126. At step 306, the gases are discharged via the discharge section 140 defined at the end 132 of the exhaust duct 126. At step 308, the presence of carbon monoxide in the gases is detected by the gas detectors 128.

In an embodiment, detecting the presence of carbon monoxide includes detecting the presence of carbon monoxide at a temperature below 50° C. In an embodiment, allowing an entry of air and discharging the gases includes allowing an entry of air and discharging the gases forcibly.

During operation of the power system 100, fuel is combusted in the engine 102. As known to a person having ordinary skill in the art, incomplete combustion of fuel in the engine 102 may produce carbon monoxide. Further, the use of carbon monoxide based fuels in engine 102 may inherently present carbon monoxide in the box 106 housing the engine 102. The gas detectors 128 disclosed herein detect the carbon monoxide and generate the signal accordingly. Hence, operating personnel may be notified about the presence of carbon monoxide in the box 106 by the signal from the gas detectors 128.

Further, in an embodiment disclosed above, the gas detectors 128 may generate a signal indicative of the amount of carbon monoxide in the gases. This signal may be represented with the help of standardized units such as parts per million (ppm), or percentage by weight (% wt. or w/v). The use of these standardized units to represent the value of the signal may make it easy and convenient for the operating personnel to derive and note down operating parameters of the engine 102. Further, operating personnel may be able to monitor the performance parameters or operating conditions of the power system 100 based on the signal output by the gas detectors 128.

Conventionally, gas detectors 128 are employed within an interior 142 of the box 106 in a power system 100. As can be seen from FIG. 1, the interior 142 of the box 106 is surrounding the engine 102. Thus, the temperature within the interior 142 of the box 106 may be high. Furthermore, a temperature within the interior 142 of the box 106 may increase a temperature of the box 106 itself. When gas detectors 128 are disposed within the box 106, they may be mounted to the box 106. Hence, these temperatures may exceed the safe working temperature of the gas detectors 128, such as a carbon monoxide gas detector. Therefore, if the gas detectors 128 are positioned anywhere within the box 106, the high temperatures within the box 106 may cause failure of the gas detectors 128, or may at the very least, cause a service life of the gas detectors 128 to be reduced.

In the various embodiments of the present disclosure, the gas detectors 128 are disposed within the enclosure exhaust 122. This positioning of the gas detectors 128 in the enclosure exhaust 122 as compared to the interior 142 of the box 106 may allow the gas detectors 128 to operate within safe temperature limits. While it may not be readily obvious, the positioning of the gas detectors 128 in the enclosure exhaust 122 exposes the gas detectors 128 to a sufficient amount of gases indicative of the carbon monoxide in the interior 142 of the box 106 and provides the required reading.

Sometimes, servicing and maintenance of the gas detectors 128 may be required to prolong a service life of the gas detectors 128. As can be seen from FIGS. 1-2, it is evident that the gas detectors 128 are positioned at a location that is convenient and easy for operating personnel to access. The sensors are now located outside the box 106 and therefore operating personnel may easily remove the gas detectors 128 from the enclosure exhaust 122 when required, and perform maintenance of the gas detectors 128. Furthermore, removal of the gas detectors 128 may be accomplished without the need for shutting down the engine 102 or requiring the operating personnel to climb into the power system enclosure 104.

While aspects of the present disclosure have been particularly shown and described with reference to the embodiments above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various additional embodiments may be contemplated by the modification of the disclosed machine, systems and methods without departing from the spirit and scope of what is disclosed. Such embodiments should be understood to fall within the scope of the present disclosure as determined based upon the claims and any equivalents thereof. 

We claim:
 1. A power system enclosure comprising: a box; and a ventilation system including: an enclosure inlet disposed outside the box and connected to the box to allow entry of air; and an enclosure exhaust disposed outside the box, the enclosure exhaust including: an exhaust duct connected to the box to route gases from the box; and one or more gas detectors disposed in the enclosure exhaust configured to detect and generate a signal indicative of a presence of carbon monoxide in the gases.
 2. The power system enclosure of claim 1, wherein the enclosure exhaust is positioned at one of a top of the box, and a side of the box.
 3. The power system enclosure of claim 1, wherein the gas detector is accessible from outside the box.
 4. The power system enclosure of claim 1, wherein the box houses an engine.
 5. The power system enclosure of claim 4, wherein the engine uses fuel containing carbon monoxide gas.
 6. The power system enclosure of claim 5, wherein the fuel used is synthesis gas.
 7. The power system enclosure of claim 1, wherein a temperature at the enclosure exhaust is less than 50° C., and a temperature within the box is equal to or more than 50° C.
 8. The power system enclosure of claim 1, wherein the gas detectors are disposed in a discharge section defined at an end of the exhaust duct.
 9. The power system enclosure of claim 1, wherein the gas detector further generates a signal indicative of the amount of carbon monoxide in the gases.
 10. A power system comprising: an engine; and a power system enclosure including: a box housing the engine; and a ventilation system including: an enclosure inlet disposed outside the box and connected to the box to allow entry of air; and an enclosure exhaust disposed outside the box, the enclosure exhaust including: an exhaust duct connected to the box to route gases from the box; and one or more gas detectors disposed in the enclosure exhaust configured to detect and generate a signal indicative of a presence of carbon monoxide in the gases.
 11. The power system of claim 10, wherein the enclosure exhaust is positioned at one of a top of the box, and a side of the box.
 12. The power system of claim 10, wherein the gas detector is accessible from outside the box.
 13. The power system of claim 10, wherein the engine uses fuel containing carbon monoxide gas.
 14. The power system of claim 10, wherein the fuel used is synthesis gas.
 15. The power system of claim 10, wherein a temperature at the enclosure exhaust is less than 50° C., and a temperature within the box is equal to or more than 50° C.
 16. The power system of claim 10, wherein the gas detectors are disposed in a discharge section defined at an end of the exhaust duct.
 17. The power system of claim 10, wherein the gas detector further generates a signal indicative of the amount of carbon monoxide in the gases.
 18. A method of detecting presence of carbon monoxide within a power system enclosure of a power system, the method comprising: allowing an entry of air into a box of the power system enclosure via an enclosure inlet; routing gases from the box to an outside of the box by an exhaust duct; discharging the gases via a discharge section defined at an end of the exhaust duct; and detecting the presence of carbon monoxide in the gases by gas detectors.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein a temperature at the discharge section is less than 50° C., and a temperature within the box is equal to or more than 50° C.
 20. The method of claim 18, wherein allowing an entry of air and discharging the gases includes allowing an entry of air and discharging the gases forcibly. 